Update

The PolarConnect event with Juan Botella and the research team on Thursday, 14 April 2011 is now archived. Access the archive here.

What Are They Doing?

An interdisciplinary team of scientists, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), traveled from McMurdo Station, Antarctica to Punta Arenas, Chile aboard the U.S. research vessel Nathanial B. Palmer. While aboard, they collected data from the Bellingshausen, Amundsen, and Ross Seas and the Southern Pacific Ocean. Using many different types of oceanographic instruments they collected water samples at various depths to obtain data about the salinity, temperature, oxygen, CFCs, nutrients, ocean carbon, and other substances. Other scientists participating in the research cruise measured aerosols, solar radiation, and recovered and deployed moorings that were used to collect data during the remainder of the year.

Oceans play an important role in the global carbon cycle, as they absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from our atmosphere. However, the amount and rate of carbon dioxide absorption depends on many things such as phytoplankton, temperature, salinity, water currents, and location. One of the main goals of this study was to observe the changing patterns of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) in the ocean. This helped give scientists the information they needed to improve their forecasting abilities for the oceans and global climate.

The US Global Ocean Carbon and Repeat Hydrography program began it's ship-based studies in 2003, and has since conducted similar work around the world with research cruises scheduled into 2014.

¿Qué están hacienda?

Un grupo interdisciplinario de científicos, apoyados por el NAtional Science Foundation (NSF) y la National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), viajarán de la Estación McMurdo, Antártida hasta Punta Arenas, Chile abordo del buque de investigación Nathaniel B. Palmer. Desde el buque colectarán datos de os mares Bellinghausen, Amundsen y Ross y el Pacífico del Sur. Utilizarán diferentes instrumentos oceanográficos para colectar muestras de agua a diferentes profundidades para obtener información sobre la salinidad, temperatura, oxígeno disuelto, compuestos clorofluorocarbonados (CFC), nutrientes, carbono oceánico, y otras substancias. Otros científicos en la expedición medirán aerosoles, radiación solar, y recuperarán boyas oceanográficas que se han utilizado para colectar datos en meses pasados.

Los océanos juegan un papel muy importante en el ciclo global del carbono, al absorber y almacenar dióxido de carbono (CO2) de nuestra atmósfera. Sin embargo, la cantidad de carbono y la rapidez con la que es absorbido por los océanos depende de muchas cosas, como el fitopláncton, temperatura del agua, salinidad, corrientes oceánicas, y localidad. Uno de las metas más importantes de este estudio es el observar los cambios en los patrones del dióxido de carbono en el océano. Esta información permitirá a los científicos mejorar la capacidad de predicción de sus modelos climáticos y oceánicos .

El programa US Global Ocean Carbon and Repeat Hydrography (Carbono Oceánico Global e Hydrografía repetida de los EU) empezó sus investigaciones desde buques científicos en el 2003, y desde entonces ha conducido trabajos similares en diferentes cruceros por el mundo entero. Estos trabajos están programados para continuar hasta el 2014.

Where Are They?

The team traveled to McMurdo Station, Antarctica where they boarded the research icebreaker Nathanial B. Palmer. They sailed via the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage to Punta Arenas, Chile.

The vessel is named after Nathaniel Palmer, the first American credited with sighting Antarctica. It can operate safely year-round in Antarctic waters, and is capable of supporting about four dozen scientists on expeditions that last for months. Learn more about life aboard the N.B. Palmer.

¿Dónde están?

El equipo científico viajará a la Estación McMurdo en la Antártida, donde abordarán el rompehielos de investigación Nathaniel B. Palmer. Navegarán por el Mar del Sur hasta el Pasaje de Drake, o Mar de Hoces, para terminar el viaje en Punta Arenas, Chile.

El navío lleva el nombre de Nathaniel Palmer, el primer Americano al que se le acredita el haber visto la Antártida. El buque puede operar durante todo el año en las aguas dela Antártida, y es capaz de llevar hasta cuatro docenas de científicos en expediciones que pueden durar varios meses. Aprende más sobre la vida abordo del N.B. Palmer.

Latest Journals

I was unable to upload the videos I was making through out the cruise because we did not have live internet and had bandwidth restrictions. I will go back and add the videos to the journal where they fit. I am creating this media entry so you can find all videos and do not have to go searching for…
The Journey I am at Dallas-Fort Worth airport three hours from seeing my family. It is already hard to believe I was here 78 days ago full of illusion and expectation for the trip to come. The experience, which fulfilled those expectations, is now over, but it will take me a lot of time to…
Our time aboard the Palmer has come to an end when we arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile, after an uneventful sailing across the Strait of Magallanes last Saturday. The water is no longer of a deep blue color, but a whitish green. We got to see plenty oil exploration platforms along the strait.…
Today we will reach Punta Arenas, Chile. Everybody is extremely excited to be back on land. I have mixed feelings, since I probably will not go to sea in any other expedition like this one, but it has also been a long time away from the family, so I am happy to start heading back home. I plan to…
Dates
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Location
Icebreaker N.B. Palmer in the Southern Ocean and Drake Passage
Project Funded Title
Cruise S4P/2011 for the US Global Ocean Carbon and Repeat Hydrography Program
Juan Botella - Teacher
Teacher
Monona Grove High School

Juan obtained a masters degree in oceanography through a joint program between the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before becoming a teacher. During his days as a graduate student, Juan enjoyed working in the field and being able to communicate the science with other people. He decided to become a teacher so he could help more people understand and enjoy science. Juan has the pleasure of teaching AP physics, climate and weather, and astronomy. When Juan is not teaching or enjoying time with his two kids and wife, he is cooking, playing soccer, taking pictures, cross country skiing, biking or jogging.


Juan obtuvo una maestría en Oceanografía en el programa conjunto entre el Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution y el Massachusetts Institute of Technology antes de convertirse en maestro de escuela. Durante sus días como estudiante de posgrado, Juan disfrutó el trabajo de campo y el comunicar la ciencia a otras personas. Decidió dedicarse a la enseñanza para poder ayudar a más gente entender y disfrutar de las ciencias. Juan tiene el placer de enseñar AP Física, Astronomía y Meteorología y Climatología. Cuando no se encuentra en el salón de clases, Juan disfruta su tiempo con su esposa y sus dos hijos, o cocinando, jugando fútbol, tomando fotografías, esquiando, en andando en bicicleta o corriendo.

Jim Swift - Researcher
Researcher
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego

James Swift is a Research Oceanographer and Academic Administrator at the University of California San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. His scientific interests include ocean circulation and ocean measurements, particularly of the Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas. He has visited most of the worlds oceans, participated in 30 oceanographic expeditions, and has spent over two and a half years of his life at sea!

Dr. Swift is the Chief Scientist for the expedition aboard the N.B. Palmer. As a leader in polar and ocean sciences, he has served on many national committees and in many leadership roles. Among them, Dr. Swift is the coordinator for the US Global Ocean Carbon and Repeat Hydrography program, which is providing valuable data on the role of the oceans in global change. He also directs an international oceanographic data office called the CCHDO which stands for CLIVAR and Carbon Hydrographic Data Office which provides decades of data about the world's oceans to scientists and other users.

Dr. Swift is also an amateur musician, playing as second bassoonist in his community orchestra, the La Jolla Symphony. He is also married with two grown daughters and one granddaughter.


James Swift es un Investigador en Oceanografía y Administrador Académico en el Scripps Institution of Oceanography de la Universidad de California SanDiego en la Jolla, California. Sus intereses científicos incluyen la circulación y mediciones oceánicas, particularmente en el Océano Ártico y los Mares Nórdicos. Ha estado en casi todos los océanos al participar en mas de 30 expediciones cientificas. ¡Todo esto suma casi dos años y medio de su vida en el mar!

El Dr. Swift es el investigador principal de la expedición abordo del N.H. Palmer. Como lider de las ciencias oceánicas y polares ha participado en varios comités nacionales en diversos roles de liderazgo. Dentro de estos, el Dr. Swift es el coordinador del US Global Ocean Carbon and Repeat Hydrography (Carbono Oceánico Global e Hydrografía repetida de los EU), el cual está aportando información invaluable sobre el cambio en el papel que desempeñan los océanos a partir del cambio climático. También dirige un oficina internacional de datos oceanográficos llamada CCHDO (CLIVAR and Carbon Hydrographic Dat Office), la cual almacena décadas de datos sobre nuestros oceanos para que puedan ser usados por nuestros científicos.

El Dr. Swift es un músico amateur. Es el segundo bassoon en la orquesta de su comunidad, La Jolla Symphony. Está casado y tiene dos hijas mayores y una nieta.

Seawater Property Changes in the Southern Ocean Resources

Over three months in Antarctica, PolarTREC teacher Juan Botella took hundreds of pictures a day. He will now display many of those photos in an art exhibit entitled, "ArtArctic Science" at the Overture Center in Madison, WI. The exhibit includes not only Botella’s pictures but artwork by four Monona Grove high school students and two recent graduates.

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Cups decorated by students at the Monona Grove School District, Monona WI. Some of them will be shrunk by sending them to the bottom of the Ocean around Antarctica. during the 2011-2012 PolarTREC expedition "Sea water property changes in the Southern Ocean"

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Trip to Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA to meet Dr. Jim Swift and team members that will participate in the 2011-2012 PolarTREC expedition "Sea water property changes in the Southern Ocean" (www.polartrec.com

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A video showing the flight path from Madison, WI to McMurdo Station in Antarctica fro the PolarTREC Expedition: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. Visit www.polartrec.com

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A video showing the ride from downtown Christchurch to the Clothing Distribution Center for traveling to Antarctica. Mainly to show what is like to drive on the left side of the road for a person not used to this. Visit www.polartrec.com for more information on this project

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Loading the main lab of the NB Palmer for the CLIVAR-Carbon N4P cruise. A picture avery 5 min for 7.5 hours. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 19, 2011

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Loading the research vessel NB Palmer for the CLIVAR-Carbon N4P cruise. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 19, 2011

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Morning view of Antarctic waters from the window next to my bunk, aboard the icebreaker and research vessel Nathaniel. B. Palmer during the CLIVAR-Carbon S4P cruise. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 19, 2011

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Collection and preparation of hydrographic samples aboard the icebreaker and research vessel NB Palmer during the S4P cruise in the Southern Ocean. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 20 - April 23, 2011

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Mooring recovery from the icebreaker and research vessel NB Palmer during the S4P cruise in the Southern Ocean. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 20 - April 23, 2011

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Humpback Whales seen in the Southern Ocean from the icebreaker and research vessel NB Palmer during the S4P cruise in the Southern Ocean. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 20 - April 23, 2011

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Trace metal sampling and analysis for CLIVAR S4P aboard the icebreaker and research vessel NB Palmer during in the Southern Ocean. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 20 - April 23, 2011

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Second part of trace metal sampling and analysis for CLIVAR S4P aboard the icebreaker and research vessel NB Palmer during in the Southern Ocean. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 20 - April 23, 2011

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Third part of trace metal sampling and analysis for CLIVAR S4P aboard the icebreaker and research vessel NB Palmer during in the Southern Ocean. PolarTREC Project: Sea water property changes in the Southern Sea. February 20 - April 23, 2011

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Recuperación del fondeo fantasma, un fondeo que se había perdido por diez años en aguas de la Antártida. La recuperación se llevó a cabo durante el crucero CLIVAR S4P abordo del rompe hielos de investigación NB Palmer. Proyecto PolarTREC Sea Water property changes in the Southern Sea.

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Sampling of sea water around Antarctica for Oceanographic research aboard the RVIB NBPalmer during the CLIVAR S4P cruise, February 20 to April 23 2011. Film by Juan Botella, Monona Grove High School, as part of the PolarTREC project Seawater Property Changes in the Southern Ocean (polartrec.com)

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Recovery of an oceanographic mooring (WHOI) that had been lost in Antarctic waters for 10 years. The recovery took place from the RVIB NB Palmer during the CLIVAR S4P cruise. Video by Juan Botella, Monona Grove High School, for PolarTREC (polartrec.com)

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Start to Yukon Quest race in Fairbanks, Alaska. February 4, 2012. Here as part of PolarTREC since the race took place during PolarTREC's Orientation

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PolarTREC's visit to the Permafrost Tunnel in Fairbankas Alaska and Alaska Pipeline on February 7, 2012

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Local news interviews PolarTREC teacher Nell Herrmann about her expedition to Palmer Station, Antarctica. The take a visit to her classroom as well. Video and written article are included.

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PolarTREC teacher Juan Botella is interview by a local news station about his work on the NB Palmer. Juan discusses ocean circulation and changes affecting marine organisms. Video and article included.

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Polar Connect event with teacher Juan Botella and researcher, Dr. James Swift who are part of the Seawater Property Changes in the Southern Ocean expedition.

PolarConnect event with teacher Juan Botella and the Monona Grove High School in Monona, Wisconsin. This special presentation focused on the science that is being conducted on the N.B. Palmer in the Southern Ocean and also the wildlife they have been seeing during the expedition.

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Equipment being deployed aboard the U.S. research vessel Nathanial B. Palmer.

Follow the CTD over the side of the Palmer and into the Ross Sea on a short cast. Look for Niskin bottles closing at 24 and 32 seconds in the video.

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